Oberammergau 2020

Oberammergau comes around every ten years. It is the most famous and visually stunning presentation of Christ’s Passion in the world.

In 1633, the villagers of Oberammergau made a solemn vow.

In the early 17th century, Germany was in the midst of the Thirty Years War. The bubonic plague had also swept through the surrounding villages. Violence, famine, and disease ravaged the region, and death and suffering were imminent. Fearful and desperate, the residents of Oberammergau prayed for God’s grace. They swore an oath that if God spared them from continued suffering and loss, they would produce a play depicting the life and death of Jesus. And, that they would perform the play every ten years until the end of time. The residents of Oberammergau performed the very first Passion Play that next year. Afterward, not a single person in the village ever died of the plague. Oberammergau was spared. The villagers have faithfully kept their promise to perform the Passion play every decade (except 1940-WWII) for more than 380 years. 2020 will be the 42nd installment of the play.

More than 2000 people are involved in the production of the Passion Play.

All of them are from the village of Oberammergau. All of them are amateurs.

THE CHOIR | over a hundred choristers will be a part of the 2020 performance. In the upcoming Passion Play normally 4 vocal soloists and 44 choristers will be performing on stage, at some scenes there will be a total of 64 vocalists.

THE ORCHESTRA | 55 musicians will be sitting in the pit. In 2020, once again, the music for the Passion Play will largely be based on compositions of Rochus Dedler (1779 – 1822).

THE PLAY | The Passion Play will be performed 103 consecutive days from May 16th to October 4th 2020.